Potty Training Boot Camp: Day 10

For all of you shaking your head that I have waited this long to potty train...I know. He's 3. I had Riley potty trained at 2 1/2. BUT, I'm not a boy and I didn't know where to begin with the little man.

I also didn't know if I was ready to let go of the diapers. The decision to stop buying diapers means the end of an era. The end of spending $40 every 2-3 weeks on something you truly have to throw away. The end of screaming, "go get me a diaper so I can change your butt." The end of babyhood. (Although it is the beginning of thinking, 'what can I spend that money on now?!')

I made the decision right after Ronan turned 3, that once Riley had her holiday break, I'd buckle down and put Ronan through PTBC (see title). I knew that we'd have time to hang out at home and I could take my cues from Ronan without the pressure of being somewhere all the time. He's done really well. Except for #2. No desire to do that anywhere but his usual place...and frustrating for all of us that have strong smelling receptors. I can't force him, though. And I'm not going to...but I'm not buying anymore diapers. Plain and simple. (Please note that I didn't say I wouldn't buy pull-ups!)

Anyway, my big boy is slowing becoming a really big boy and even though the transistion is slightly sad -- I'll no longer have a baby to change -- it's great to feel this sense of independence from the Huggies company.

Riley-ism #882

The story goes a little like this:

We have orders to move to an *undisclosed location* summer 2010. We are excited and happy that we got the news before Christmas. So, with the news, came lots of questions about our soon-to-be new state of residence...and no question made me giggle more than this one:

Riley: "Do they speak our language in *this undisclosed location-- in the states*?"

Me: "You mean English?"

Riley: "Yes, English. Do they speak that in *this undisclosed location*?"

(Go ahead and shake your head in disbelief, because I did. But, it was a valid question coming from the mind of our 7-year-old!)

*Note: This post has been edited. Reason is personal at this time...thanks...

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ronan Chase!

Three years ago, I had this:And now, I have this:
I know this post is a little late...as Ronan turned the big 0-3 on the 4th, but being as we were attempting to go to Disney that day, I couldn't write.

We have been so amazed at how much Ronan has added to our lives. I know that Riley is amazed at how easily she is annoyed at him on a daily, if not hourly basis. BUT, what I have here is an awesome little dude who is completely a momma's boy! We love him so much and couldn't imagine one minute without him. And when I say that, I mean it, because I don't think I've been away from him even one night. In his 3 years of life. Ever.

Happy 3rd Birthday, little man. Love you sooooo much. Ah bah bah bah.

Ronan-ism #001

One year ago, Ronan said nothing to us but "dah." That was it. He would point to everything, calling it a "dah" and now, he talks so much we literally, cannot get him to shut up.

Yesterday, being that he is finally understanding all the holiday stuff, said to his dad:

"Daddy, you have Christmas belly."

Riley-ism #881

Riley and I love to watch SYTYCD. If you have no idea what that is, shame on you. Joking. It's So You Think You Can Dance. Secretly, I wish I could be on that show but I would be mortified with the entire world looking at my cheesy butt. I digress.

So, we're watching and one of the dancers is doing hiphop. He's basically grinding himself on the floor. In my head, I'm thinking, this is so not appropriate for Riley right now...hoping she wouldn't notice. Oh, but she did and this is what she said:

"It looks like he's trying to get something off of his shoe!"

I about died. What do you say to that?

Happy Turkey Leg! I mean, Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving has never been a hugely celebrated holiday for us. Growing up, I'd go to my Godmother's house but my parents never emphasized it as an important day. Once we moved away from Pittsburgh, we started doing Friendsgiving on Thanksgiving with friends who didn't have family around and it was definitely something we looked forward to. Mainly because we'd end up in a Vietnamese restaurant and wouldn't have to cook or do the clean-up!

Although we did do it the past two years here in Tampa -- we opted to skip out on the whole idea and celebrate a different way! We headed to Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World and spent it with a million other people and on fun rides!

But, what's Thanksgiving without turkey, right? (I could do without it...but we wanted the kids to experience it!) We bought a turkey leg...

We all shared one. I know, sounds gross...but they were enormous and 1/4 of us doesn't eat anything but nuggets or fries. We had people staring at us as they walked by. Not sure if it was because we were eating this strange thing or if it was because it was at 10am. LOL. We ended up lucking out and getting reservations at Boma -- a restaurant at our resort -- and they had the full-blown turkey dinner with all the fixin's and then some!

So it wasn't traditional in the least, but it was fun and it was all about us being thankful for each other. (And I was thankful it wasn't pouring down rain!)

Back to the 'Burgh

Okay, so mid-November, the kids and I headed back to my hometown for a week-long visit with my parents. Although I originally dreaded the travelling alone with two kids, I was pleasantly surprised at how good they both were there and back. It was nice to spend time with my parents, cousin, half-brother and his family.

The kids had a blast and didn't want to leave Pittsburgh...here they are with my parents...
They don't make parks in Florida like they do in Mt. Lebanon. Okay, maybe they do, but we never have as much fun at our parks as we do at this one...we were blessed with nice weather, so we could go a few times while we were there.

Falling leaves? What's that? I definitely miss the various seasons. Do I want to live in SNOW? Not really, but I love seeing the leaves change color and apparently, my children thoroughly enjoy playing in them once they've fallen.

If you know me, you know I've let loose a little since Riley's birth. Never in a million years would I have let them roam wild among the leaves where there could have been doggie droppings hidden...but I did and as you can tell, they had so much fun. The pictures were worth it.

Okay, so the quest for a Primanti Brothers Cheesesteak. Oy vey. You know you want something bad when you drive all over, sit in traffic, walk blocks in the cold (holding your sleeping son who happens to weigh 30 pounds) in heels, and get treated like crap by the staff at the very place you spent 3 hours getting to...

We tried to go to the one at the Strip District. The line was around the block. No thanks. We drove to Market Square, only to find the massive amount of construction going on...but did I want to turn around and eat at McDonald's? No way. We drove around and around until we could find a parking garage and walked around lots of construction to get here:

Was it worth the wait? Uhhhh, not really once I found out there was one somewhere else with ample seating... I couldn't believe how rude the staff was there. It was as if my being in the building was an inconvenience for them. $25 later, I had my sandwiches...but a place to sit? Nope. No seating, inside or out. So, as a family, we walked back to the parking garage and because we didn't have drinks, had to figure out where to go. No joke, we ended up going to a McDonalds in the Strip District and ate our sandwiches there.

But, at least we got to see some Christmas decorations in our journey dahn-tahn (downtown for you non-Pittsburghers).

And here are the kids just chillin' at the parentals house...

Our trip was filled with seeing great friends and spending time with family...and it was so sad to leave. We are so lucky to have these people in our lives and dare I say it, we can't wait to go back for another visit.

I'm Baaaackkk!

In case you have forgotten who I am...I'm the stunning Asian....kidding, kidding.

Okay, so it's been a while and I think I promised you pictures. Get ready, as a lot has happened since November 25th! No, no, nothing landmark -- like pregnancy or selling our house. Just other important milestones!

Enjoy!